Kearsarge, Welcome to the first edition of USS Kearsarge’s premier magazine, The Landing. What you hold in your hand is the result of months of work, hours of planning, and at least a baby food jar worth of tears as we continuously tore apart each others work to come back with something better. When we first discussed creating this magazine, my Chief and I had only one mandate: Be better than the Summit. We asked ourselves, ‘What do Sailors want to see in a paper?’ The answer: Themselves. This magazine is all about you. Strangely, the part of the Summit we disliked the most was one of the most popular sections. Sailor in the Spotlight was designed to recognize the good work of our Sailors and Marines, but it didn’t say anything about what that work was. So we took it, shred it, pulped it and discharged it over the side. We went back to the drawing board and made it more about the Sailor (What makes them tick? Why are they so awesome? How did their 3rd grade art teacher inspire them so much?). New media permeates our lives. Facebook. Twitter. Music videos. That’s why our center spread now has a multimedia counterpart that will be on the Navy Live blog and/or Facebook. In a sense, we tell you what Kearsarge did, and then we blow your eye holes wide open with an explosion of awesome set to a soundtrack of rad. This inaugural issue of Landing Magazine is the beginning of a media revolution aboard Kearsarge, and we welcome your input. Ideas, suggestions, and polite rants will be entertained. Our goal is to provide you with the most up-to-date information about the Navy, Marines and Kearsarge in an entertaining manner. MC1(SW/FMF) Chad V. Pritt Editor
Photo by MCC Tommy Lamkin
P.S. Watch the syrup fingers, other people want to read this. Cover by MCC Tommy Lamkin
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FROM ACROSS THE POND » THE BRITISH ARE HERE!
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DAMAGE: UNDONE » DAMAGE CONTROL FOR THE MASSES
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CMDCM RANDALL » GET TO KNOW YOUR COMMAND MASTER CHIEF
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PETE ROSE, RECORD HOLDER NO MORE » WELL, AT LEAST ACCORDING TO TOPPS
FEB 17, 2013 ¬
FUNDING THE FIGHT » WILL SEQUESTRATION HURT NAVAL READINESS?
» VOL I, ISSUE 1
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Landing Magazine is published bi-weekly by USS Kearsarge Public Affairs. The Commanding Officer has determined this publication operationally necessary. The use of a name of any specific manufacturer, commercial product, commodity, or service in this publication does not imply endorsement by the Navy. Any opinions herein are those of the authors, and do not necessarily represent the views of the Commanding Officer, the Department of the Navy, or the Department of Defense.
Team Kearsarge, It is my honor to introduce to you the replacement publication for the Summit. The LANDING has been several months in the making, and I know the MCs are excited to finally get this into your hands. COMPTUEX is all but wrapped up, and I want to tell you what an amazing job you all have done. From the watch stander to food service; from the flight deck crew to the engineers; from the Marines to the SAR Det, you have all been shining examples of what a well-trained Navy-Marine Corps team can accomplish. We are a unique team. No other services work in such tandem. Sailors, our job is to take our Marines into the fight and provide them support from the sea. Marines, your job is to complete your missions and return to the ship. COMPTUEX was just a taste – a nibble – of what will be expected of us beginning next month, and though our work to this point has been exemplary, I encourage greater synchronicity through teamwork. Our strength has always been our training. No other military in the world puts as much emphasis on training as the United States. That training pays dividends should we be called to action, and we will sail confidently into the fight and to wherever else our Nation sends us. We will be pier-side in a couple of days, and we will scatter for some well-earned POM leave, but I want to remind each and every one of you that you are an integral part of this team. Every one of you is an irreplaceable cog in this machine. We cannot call another ship and replace you with another “you.” We can get another Sailor or Marine, but we won’t get a KEARSARGE Sailor or Marine. Have a plan on liberty. Use the Safe Ride card. Use your chain of command. The bad decision to drink too much is not the worse decision you can make – getting behind the wheel afterwards is. Come back in March ready to lead the fight. You are Kearsarge. Capt. Rick Nielsen Commanding Officer
During January and February, the Sailors and Marines of Kearsarge consumed: Dehydrated Eggs (bags): 330 Fresh Eggs: 93,600 Frozen Eggs (containers): 714 Pounds of Rice: 8,990 Hamburger Patties (in pounds): 2,440 Pounds of Beef: 18,720 Pounds of Pork: 6,143 Pounds of Seafood: 7,600 Pounds of Chicken: 21,047
Gallons of Fresh Milk 1,590 Breakfast Cereal Cups 25,740 Pounds of Pasta: 7,940 Cans of Maple Syrup: 220 Pounds of Bacon: 1,860 Pounds of Turkey: 2,751 Pounds of Lettuce: 6,060 Pounds of Coffee: 2,395 Gallons of UHT Milk: 2,395
Total Meals: 289,446 Total Cost: $787,122.95
Chief of Naval Operations: Sequestration will hurt readiness Navy News Service WASHINGTON — Military leaders testified before the House Armed Services Committee Feb. 13 on the potential sequestration and the lack of an appropriations bill for fiscal year 2013, just a day after testifying before the Senate Armed Services Committee. During the hearing Chief of Naval Operations, Adm. Jonathan Greenert, further illustrated the significant impacts the combined effects of a yearlong continuing resolution and sequestration will reduce the Navy’s ability to achieve his top three priorities of, “Warfighting First,” “Operate Forward,” and “Be Ready.” Greenert highlighted that in order for the Naval forces to continue being ready when it matters, where it matters, congress must act. “The $8.6 billion shortfall confronting us in operations and maintenance has compelled us to cancel ship and aircraft maintenance, reduce operations, curtail training for forces soon to deploy, and plan for the furlough of thousands of civilians. These actions enable current missions of forces forward-deployed, but subject to congressional action, we’ll have inadequate surge capacity at the appropriate readiness, to be there when it matters, where it matters.” Other service leaders testifying included Deputy Secretary of Defense Ashton B. Carter, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Gen.
Navy News Service
WASHINGTON (Feb. 13, 2013) Chief of Naval Operations (CNO) Adm. Jonathan Greenert, center, testifies before the House Armed Services Committee on the impacts of the continuing resolution and sequestration on military readiness and defense capabilities.
Martin E. Dempsey, Chief of Staff of the Army, Gen. Raymond T. Odierno, Commandant of the Marine Corps, Gen. James F. Amos, Chief of Staff of the Air Force, Gen. Mark A. Welsh, III, and Chief of the National Guard Bureau, Gen. Frank J. Grass. Carter pointed out how the consequences of the budget measures are very real and personal for the military force. “We just had to cancel the deployment of
Same-sex family benefits: The Facts Navy News Stand Some benefits that will be extended to same-sex domestic partners : * Dependent ID cards (DD Form 1173) which will be renewed in accordance with existing policies * Commissary and Exchange * Access to child and youth programs. This includes child care, youth programs and youth sponsorship. * Space-Available Travel on DoD Aircraft * Joint duty assignment for dual military partners * Access to most Family Center Programs * Emergency leave and emergency leave of absence for the military member to attend to partner emergencies. * Access to sexual assault counseling program. Emergency care provided; additional care determined by medical eligibility. * Exemption from hostile-fire areas for dual military if partner is killed in a combat zone. * Disability and death compensation: dependents of members held as captives * Payments to missing person
an aircraft carrier. The reason for that was to make sure that we would be able to field an aircraft carrier a year from now. But we did that at the very last minute so families that were all ready for that deployment suddenly had to change their plans – plans they had for childcare, plans they had for where they were going to live, what their families were going to do after they said good-bye to a loved one – so abruptly,” Carter said.
Monitor Sailors to be interred at Arlington Navy News Service WASHINGTON — Secretary of the Navy Ray Mabus announced Feb. 12 that remains recovered from the USS Monitor will be interred in Arlington National Cemetery. A ceremony will be held March 8 to honor the two unknown Sailors. The specific date of the interment was chosen to honor Monitor’s role in the Battle of Hampton Roads 151 years ago. “These may very well be the last Navy personnel from the Civil War to be buried at Arlington,” said Mabus. “It’s important we honor these brave men and all they represent as we reflect upon the significant role Monitor and her crew had in setting the course for our modern Navy.” The Brooklyn-built Monitor, the nation’s first ironclad warship, made nautical history after being designed and assembled in 118 days. Commissioned Feb. 25, 1862, the Monitor fought in the first battle between two ironclads when it engaged CSS Virginia in the Battle of Hampton Roads March 9, 1862. Though the confrontation with the Virginia ended in a draw, the Monitor prevented the Virginia from gaining control of Hampton Roads and thus preserved the Federal blockade of the Norfolk-area. Months later, 16 Sailors were lost when the Monitor sank Dec. 31, 1862 in a storm off Cape Hatteras, N.C. Her wreck was discovered in 1974 was designated the nation’s first national marine sanctuary, managed by the
Lexus tops J.D. Power dependability study Fox News If there’s one thing you can count on, it’s your car. Vehicles are more dependable than ever, says J.D. Power and Associates. The consulting company’s latest study, which measures problems experienced in the last year by owners of 3-year-old vehicles, found that reported problems fell 5 percent to the lowest level since J.D. Power began collecting this data in 1989. Lexus, Porsche, Lincoln and Toyota owners reported the fewest problems, while Jeep, Mitsubishi, Dodge and Land Rover owners had the most. Owners reported an average of 126 problems per 100 vehicles from the 2010 model year, down from 132 in last year’s survey. Problems can be anything from engine failure to dashboard electronic glitches to excessive wind noise. For the first time, cars and trucks that were new or redesigned for 2010 performed better than those that were unchanged from the 2009 model year. Owners of new models experienced 116 problems per 100 vehicles compared with 133 for models that weren’t new in 2010. That result challenges the conventional wisdom that it takes carmakers one or two model years to work out all the glitches in new cars. “The rapid improvement in fundamental vehicle dependability each year is more than offsetting any initial glitches that all-new or redesigned models may have,” said David Sargent, who leads J.D. Power’s global automotive operations. Among the models that were new or redesigned in 2010 were the Ford Mustang, Buick LaCrosse, Lexus ES350 and Toyota Camry. Chrysler’s Ram brand — which introduced a new heavy-duty pickup in 2010 — saw one of the biggest leaps in the rankings. It rose to the 9th spot in 2013 from the 29th spot last year. Suzuki and Mazda also jumped in the rankings. Toyota’s youth-oriented Scion brand dropped 13 spots, and Cadillac, Audi, Volvo and
Doctors ‘freeze’ baby boy to treat heart condition Fox News UNITED KINGDOM — Doctors kept a U.K. baby boy ‘frozen’ for four days in order to slow down his increasing heart rate, metro.co.uk reported. Baby Edward Ives’ heart was racing at more than 300 beats per minute, so doctors sedated him, wrapping him in a blanket filled with cooling gel – and lowered his body temperature to about 91 degrees, the newspaper reported. Doctors told Edward’s parents he had a five percent survival rate – he was born with supraventricular tachycardia and had to be delivered at 35 weeks at the University College London Hospital. On the fourth day, Edward’s heart rate returned to normal, and doctors slowly warmed him back up to 98.6 degrees.
Mitsubishi all dropped 11 spots. For the third straight year, excessive wind noise was the top problem, said Raffi Festekjian, director of global automotive research operations. Noisy brakes came in second, and problems with chipping or fading paint were No. 3, also for the third consecutive year, Festekjian said in an e-mail. But trouble with dashboard electronics is on the rise, especially in the premium segment. People reported wrong or missing directions in navigation systems, and voice recognition software that doesn’t recognize commands. The voice problem made the top 10 for the first time in the history of the survey, Festekjian said. Those problems are likely to grow as newer cars make their way into the threeyear reliability study. In J.D. Power’s study of quality after three months of ownership last year, owners reported more problems with audio, entertainment and navigation systems than with any other vehicle feature, Festekjian said. This year’s study found that the Toyota Prius was the most reliable small car and the Hyundai Sonata was the most reliable midsize car. The Toyota RAV4 was the highest-ranked small SUV and the Chevrolet Tahoe was the most reliable big SUV. The Lexus RX midsize SUV had the fewest problems of any vehicle, at 57 per 100. Dependability rankings are important to car companies, since buyers who are happy with a purchase are more likely to stick with that brand in the future. J.D. Power said 54 percent of owners who do not experience any problems with their vehicle stay with the same brand for their next new vehicle. That slips to 41 percent when owners experience three or more problems.
Iran installing advanced centrifuges at nuclear site Fox News TEHRAN, Iran – Iran said Wednesday that it has begun installing a new generation of centrifuges at its main uranium enrichment facility, a move that will allow it to vastly increase its pace of uranium enrichment in defiance of U.N. calls to halt such activities. Vice President Fereidoun Abbasi told the official IRNA news agency that the machines will only produce low-level enriched uranium, which is used to make nuclear fuel, but highlevel enrichment makes it suitable for use in the core of a nuclear weapon. Abbasi said Iranian nuclear scientists began installing the advanced centrifuges at Natanz about a month ago. “We’ve produced enough of these machines and are installing and starting them up gradually,” Abbasi said. The announcement coincided with a
new round of talks Wednesday with senior International Atomic Energy Agency inspectors over allegations that Tehran might have carried out tests on triggers for atomic weapons. State media said the talks ended late Wednesday but didn’t provide any further details. It also could affect negotiations planned later this month between Iran and six world powers. Iran has more than 10,000 centrifuges that are enriching uranium at Natanz, 225 kilometers (140 miles) southeast of Tehran. But the machines are of the old IR-1 type. Iran told the IAEA last month that it intended to install newer IR-2 centrifuges, machines that can produce more enriched uranium at a shorter period of time. “The centrifuges installed at Natanz are firstgeneration machines based on old technology,” the semi-official ISNA news agency quoted Abbasi as saying. “We were able to produce composite materials. ... We built centrifuge rotors from those materials which make the machines more durable. The new generation of centrifuges is more efficient.”
Chief Petty Officer (Aircraft Handler) Scott Iszard of the British Royal Navy performs flight deck duties.
From Across the Pond
Kearsarge welcomes British Sailors to gain experience working on larger flight decks By: MC3 Karen Blankenship
T
he flight deck aboard a U.S. Navy ship is a busy place. During one of my first days aboard the USS Kearsarge (LHD 3), I made my way up to flight deck triage, a room just beside the flight deck. As I got closer I heard helicopters, Ospreys and Harriers as they took off and landed and the voices of Sailors and Marines as they discussed their work. But, as I stood there listening, the voices of two sailors in particular stood out. They were dressed like all the other Sailors who were bustling about, carrying out the work of the day, but they began to banter back and forth about growing out their sideburns and beards.
Skills (LLSS) program and will be working with Kearsarge’s Sailors for a better part of a year. “We’ve been very welcomed,” said Royal Navy Chief Petty Officer (Aircraft Handler) Scott Iszard. “People want to talk to you and find out what you’re doing here. I think that will wear off, but there are days where you see people you haven’t seen before. We’ve enjoyed
“It’s a lot more to take in than I expected” -Damian George, British Royal Navy
This, of course, would be “out of regs” for any American Sailor, but these two sailors, who were working and living aboard Kearsarge, were not part of the U.S. Navy. Their British accents were distinct and I soon learned they were in fact sailors from the British Royal Navy. They are attached to Kearsarge as part of the Long Lead Specialist
Leading Airman (Aircraft Handler) Wayne Bowring, Chief Petty Officer (Aircraft Handler) Scott Iszard and Leading Airman (Aircraft Handler) Damian George.
our time here so far.” After talking to them, I discovered that aside from the three British sailors on board Kearsarge, there are five more sailors aboard the aircraft carrier USS Dwight D. Eisenhower (CVN 69). They are the first group to participate in LLSS, a program scheduled to last seven to eight years as sailors from the
Leading Airman (Aircraft Handler) Damian George uses a magnetic broom during a foreign object and debris walkdown.
Royal Navy come and work on American ships to learn how the U.S. manages a large floating airport. The three sailors have over 40 years of British carrier flight deck experience between them. As the British Royal Navy prepares to commission two new Queen Elizabeth class aircraft carriers, the sailors who will work aboard them need experience working on a larger flight deck. That’s where the LLSS program comes in. “It’s been a big eye opener to see how things are run differently: routines, manpower, general quarters, battle stations,” said Leading Airman (Aircraft Handler) Damian George. “It’s a lot more to take in than I expected. There’s a lot more people and a lot more spaces, but it’s fun. It’s enjoyable.” A Sailor new to Kearsarge must complete certain personnel qualification standards (PQS) before he or she is allowed to work on the flight deck. George, Iszard and Leading Airman (Aircraft Handler) Wayne Bowring had to complete the same qualifications before they were allowed to perform their jobs at the level to which they are accustomed. Due to their past experience, they were able to complete these qualifications quickly. “Just trying to get used to the way another group of handlers do their job on a different type of flight deck with different types of aircraft is not easy,” said George. “Trying to get your head around how their routines are different and the working hours – it’s all totally different.” The three sailors were asked by Fleet
(their command) to come to the States after being selected. Iszard said that he expects the program to be an excellent experience. After working on British carriers for the last 17 years, it will also be good to see how the U.S. Navy operates a larger flight deck. He said this should also be a good move for his career, especially since the future of the Royal Navy will rest on the new, larger aircraft carriers. “What I’m hoping to achieve onboard Kearsarge is to take all of the good things that I’ve learned from your way of operating your flight deck and all the stuff that we do and put both together, so that when we go back and start writing SOPs (standard operating procedures) for the new carrier, we can mix them both together,” said Iszard. And while the living and working conditions are quite different from those on a British ship, as Bowring noted the absence of alcoholic beverages and longer working hours on American ships, they are excited to be here. “I feel really good about being here because it’s a completely different challenge for me,” said Bowring. “I am looking forward to the next several months.” The U.S. Navy is truly a melting pot with Sailors from many different backgrounds, countries, ethnicities and religions, so embracing sailors from the Royal Navy wasn’t difficult. Aviation Boatswain’s Mate (Handling) 3rd Class Josh Lyman described the British sailors’ personalities as “bubbly.” “Their terminology is hilarious, so having them joke around in between flight quarters
Leading Airman (Aircraft Handler) Wayne Bowring performs flight deck duties.
is a blast because they bring something new to the table everyday,” said Lyman. The feeling expressed by Lyman seems to be mutual. Each of the British sailors said that they have received a warm welcome. “They (Kearsarge’s crew) are a great bunch of people,” said George. “They’ve really welcomed the three of us in. Nobody’s said a cross word to us and I think they’re welcoming because we’re something new, something different. We’ve come with fresh opinions, fresh ideas and a fresh set of eyes on a lot of things, and I think that most of them will listen to our opinions and they’ll take them onboard.” Iszard, Bowring and George said they are planning to make the best of this experience and learn as much as they can. They also want to fully integrate with the crew and share their vast experience and ideas. “They’ll bring you in, tell you what they know and they’re quick to ask questions if they don’t understand something or if they’re confused about something,” said Lyman “They’re straight forward and they’ll ask you.” Meeting and getting to know the myriad Sailors aboard can be one of the best parts about being underway. During long deployments the crew becomes a type of family and relies on each other not only in their jobs but also in their day-to-day lives. “If you come onboard and get involved, get out there, enjoy the flight deck and do what you’re here to do, then deployment will go like that and we’ll be on an Osprey out of here,” said George. “We’re looking forward to sailing back across the pond.”
By MCSN Hunter S. Harwell
D
arken ship has been set for the evening and red lights fill the spaces of USS Kearsarge (LHD 3). Suddenly, the alarms sound throughout the skin of the ship, as the loudspeaker shouts, “General quarters, general quarters. All hands man your battle stations!” The crew of Kearsarge rushes along passageways, through hatches and down ladderwells, narrowly avoiding each other. Kearsarge is under an imminent threat of a chemical weapon attack. The Sailors arrive at their personal areas of responsibility, their repair lockers, with gas masks strapped to their sides. Every hatch leading into the space is closed and secured as muster is called out to make sure no one was left on the contaminated side. Tonight, one of the most feared weapons in any military’s arsenal has been used on Kearsarge and it’s up to the crew, alone at sea, to take action and stay alive… At least until the training evolution is over.
I
t may be an imaginary exercise, but the Kearsarge Sailors treat it like the real thing. Senior Sailors provide training while others listen for orders from Damage Control Central, the nerve center of damage control (DC) efforts. “One day, you may see these things in a non-training team environment,” said Chief Damage Controlman Marc Robins, Kearsarge’s Fire Marshal. “It’s important to see how people react and come together in a time of need.” Kearsarge is undergoing Composite Training Unit Exercise (COMPTUEX), one of the most important and strenuous exercises in the ship’s evolutions that is necessary to be cleared for deployment overseas. Day after day, for four long weeks, Kearsarge participates in training and testing evolutions to prove that they can stand up to the challenges that await overseas. Long hours, restless nights and a seemingly never-ending workload are common themes for most of the crew. And with so much stress building on them, adding a general quarters drill may seem overwhelming at the time, but this is the best time to test the capabilities of these Sailors. “Damage control is important to everyday shipboard life, due to the fact that we are sitting in the middle of the ocean,” said Damage Controlman 1st Class Timothy Mills-Arnst. “We don’t have 911 to call. We have ourselves to fight the damage, protect ourselves and keep afloat.” With only 13 damage controlmen, the community has to reach out to the crew to fill the roles and responsibilities required for safe operations. This is no new concept to the Navy, every ship in the fleet rates damage control as a number one priority. Through the damage control qualification process, Sailors receive new responsibilities within their repair lockers and throughout the ship. “You are only as good as the highest training you’ve received,” said Robins. According to Robins, training is offered to Sailors ready to become leaders in damage control five days per week aboard Kearsarge. Once the ship deploys, more time will be dedicated to training by providing hands on demonstrations with protective equipment, pipe patching kits and fire fighting devices to Sailors. “The qualification process isn’t a specific command program, it’s a damage control program,” said Robins. “Sailors are working towards being part of DCTT (Damage Control Training Team) once they start the advanced damage control training.” Senior enlisted personnel provide individual training to Sailors of their respective repair lockers by being active in the ship’s DCTT. Members
provide mentorship to junior Sailors by quizzing them on damage control responsibilities and answering any of their questions and furthering the qualification process. “DCTT helps because you have experienced Sailors teaching inexperienced Sailors,” said Chief Yeoman Darnell Watkins, a member of DCTT. “It’s not something you can learn in a day. It’s something that takes a matter of years to be proficient in damage control. The terminology may change, but how to effectively fight fires and handle damage never changes.” “It’s a way to provide an in-house training team,” said Robins. “It’s senior people who have been around for awhile and know damage control from experience, training all of our junior people from the training and experiences that they have received over the years.” Maintenance is equally as important as fighting fires; flooding; and chemical, biological and radiological (CBR) attacks for damage controlmen aboard Kearsarge. More than 40 hours of maintenance is conducted per person weekly in the damage control community, said Mills-Arnst. Machinery Repairman 2nd Class Matthew Hobbs roams through his assigned passageways checking countless gauges and tags attached to fire extinguishers and various firefighting systems throughout the ship as part of his fire marshal responsibilities. It’s a tedious task, but it is necessary to ensure the safety of everyone aboard the ship. Hull Maintenance Technician 2nd Class Troy Brackett teaches qualified Sailors to fill the roles of investigators in the ship’s classroom. Sailors in the course will be expected to be the first to encounter any casualties during general quarters (GQ), and are charged with providing reports to the repair lockers so personnel can be outfitted with proper protective equipment to take control of the situation safely. “We are always told to know the basics, but I feel people need to know more,” said Brackett. “This is why I preach to my shipmates to get qualified in everything. You’re hurting yourself and the whole crew by not getting qualified.” “If we don’t take care of each other, we won’t get home,” said Hobbs. “Our families will be hurting because we didn’t make it back. The Navy will be hurting because we lost the ship and lost thousands of Sailors. So that’s why we have to look out for each other.” Many Sailors may have the “it’ll never happen to me” mentality, but what if suddenly, there are no damage controlmen? It may seem like an impossible scenario, but the possibility is very real, and on October 12, 2000, it became a reality off the coast of Yemen and changed the way
Damage Controlman 3rd Class Alex Fernandez gives self contained breathing apparatus (SCBA) training during a general quarters drill.
Aviation Electronics Technician 3rd Class Jessica Osbon tracks damage control efforts during a general quarters drill. Chief Damage Controlman Marc Robbins in full FFE (Fire Fighting Ensemble) and a standard shipboard fire-axe.
damage control was viewed forever. “When USS Cole was attacked,” said Mills-Arnst, “damage control personnel were a big part of those injured or killed and that only left the rest of the crew. If nobody was trained onboard the ship besides those personnel, Cole probably would have sank.” The blast from the attack on the destroyer tore through the DC spaces, claiming the lives of seventeen Sailors and leaving 42 others injured. With such a large impact on the ship’s damage control community, the remaining crew had to step up and save their ship and their shipmates. “The biggest thing to remember going into an area like that is material readiness throughout the ship,” said Robins. “This is why we are conducting all of the general quarters training – because we are trying to train the crew. That is our first line of defense when it comes to damage from an attack.” We can all hope Kearsarge and her crew will never have to combat a terrorist attack, but that threat does exist. Nevertheless, the crew remains steadfast and prepared for the challenges that lay ahead on their upcoming deployment. When we are out in theater or in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean, there is no one else to call,” said Robins. “This is the vessel that brought us overseas and it’s the same one that has to get us back home.” Every Sailor plays a role in protecting the ship and keeping her on course and mission-ready. It’s a statement that Sailors face not only on the basic damage control test, but throughout the fleet daily, when they have to answer the call. Damage control is everyone’s responsibility.
I had the privelage of sitting down with Kearsarge’s Command Master Chief, CMDCM(SW/AW) Dave Randall, to ask him what gets him through deployment. At the end, I asked him to give me his thoughts on three random words.
up in the morning nothing goes right for the rest of the day. [laughs] I think my day’s broken up into sections, so being able to stop for lunch, being able to stop for dinner, getting my exercise in. I think those are parts of my routine that I have to have every day.
Hometown: Monticello, IL Time in Navy: 27 years Time as a CMC: In 5th year
CP: I had a commodore that I worked for that said, “Do ‘these’ three things every day and you’ll have a successful deployment.” Do you have anything like that? DR: You do have to have little of your own personal time every day. Time to read, or study, or, you know, anything. But you have to find a few minutes of your day that belong to you alone every day. And in addition to that you have to have time for some kind of fitness. It doesn’t necessarily mean changing into your shorts and going to the gym to work out. If you’re confined to an office all day long, it’s not a good thing to be in that office. Even just the walk to the bridge or a walk every day... I think that’s necessary.
CP: How many deployments have you been on in those 27 years? DR: Oh, okay. I’ve gotta count. This will be my 7th deployment, I think. CP: Not just as a CMC, but also as a Sailor, what do you do to prepare for an extended period away, such as a deployment? DR: I think the whole training cycle is a mental preparation. So the short underways you get – as they grow longer and longer – I think are preparation for a deployment in itself. We’ve been challenged in that we haven’t had a lot of underway time in the last year, so this one does make it a little more unique than it has been in the past. CP: I’ve noticed it’s kind of a shock to the system. DR: Yeah, I think being ready for deployment, making sure everything is good to go at home is one of the biggest things. If you’re physically ready, then I think you will mentally be prepared, too. CP: What’s the one thing out of your daily routine you CANNOT miss? DR: Waking up in the morning. If I don’t wake
CP: I walk by your office, just as a lot of other people do, and we glance in just out of curiosity to see what the CMC is up to, and I see you reading a book. What book are you currently reading? DR: I’m currently reading Battleline. It’s the U.S. Navy from 1919 to 1939. Which is really interesting right now with Sequestration stuff going on. In 1919, the same stuff was going on so history repeats itself over and over again. CP: There have been a lot of uniform changes in the past few years. I know I’ve seen dungarees change to utilities change to NWUs. What’s a uniform policy or uniform component that you would like to see changed? Or a part of
the seabag you’d like to see changed? DR: I would like the seabag to be as simple as possible. Look at all the pieces and parts to ours. Every time we say we’re going to make it more simple, the Navy turns around and adds another uniform to it to make it worse. I think the service uniform and I think the Navy Working Unform – those are two great things. I think the dress uniforms are really good. What else do you need? CP: Ball caps with NWUs. DR: We could, but the problem you run into is – by trying to keep a uniform simple, every time you get an option, you create more rules and more confusion. I don’t think people like confusion. CP: Do you have a favorite Ninja Turtle? DR: No. CP: If you could be anoth — DR: I have to tell you, the Ninja Turtles didn’t exist when I was young. CP: If you could be any other rate in the Navy besides a Boatswain’s Mate or a CMC, what would it be? DR: I didn’t know there were any other rates. CP: Everybody brings something special with them on deployment. What’s the ONE thing you cannot go on deployment without? DR: Obviously pictures of your family is one thing. But the one thing that I’ve had since I joined my Navy – I’ve had the same Bible since joining the Navy. It goes everywhere with me. That and the pictures of my family. CP: Is there anything you would like to add? DR: I’m proud of the work that we do, and how much we’ve accomplished. Look at the Navy/ Marine organization around here. How well we’ve integrated. And the ONLY reason that’s happened is because people will allow it to happen. If it weren’t for the Sailors saying, ‘I’m willing to give up some of the property on this ship,’ we would have all sorts of issues. The only problem we have on this ship is the gymnasium. I mean, if that’s our biggest problem then we’re doing great.
WORDS
Baseball: Batting average. Statistics on performance. Coffee: Oh, that would be survival. Bluejacket: Sailors.
KSG Sailors demonstrate pride in Honor Guard MC2 Thomas Henderson The Navy’s Honor Guards can be seen on ships, at ceremonies, and sporting events all over the world. For the few that get the opportunity to present the Colors, it takes a little honor, courage, and commitment, and a lot of practice. The amphibious assault ship USS Kearsarge (LHD 3) has a talented group of Sailors who have answered the call to parade the colors for Kearsarge at numerous events throughout the year. Aviation Ordnanceman First Class Michael Bracero leads the group through practice and special events. “I’ve been performing at ceremonial events for the past couple of years,” Bracero said. “When I checked onboard in July 2012, I assumed the role as Command Honor Guard Coordinator due to prior experience.” Not only does the group perform during Kearsarge special events, their reputation has led them to assist other commands with theirs, as well. “The Kearsarge Honor Guard takes part in ceremonial events not only for our command, but for other commands who request us,” said Bracero. “We encourage the promotion of our team through networking and, most importantly, word of mouth.” The Honor Guard is made up of Kearsarge Sailors who have volunteered their free time to practice and perform at events. “I’ve been performing since my first permanent duty station in Great Lakes in 2007,” said Hospital Corpsman 3rd Class Christine Camama. “Since then, I have participated in Honor Guard in countless events, which have taken place in some unusual locations, in all forms of weather.” Camama originally joined the Honor Guard in Great Lakes to take advantage of the perks, but it eventually turned into something more. “The dress blue uniforms and the distinct Chicago community events we were able to attend, such as White Sox openings, veteran marches, and city events were great. The coordinators of the events that requested our team — both civilian and military — took care of, and fed, the Honor Guard team in Great Lakes.
Aviation Ordnanceman Airman Russell Spearman, Seaman Recruit Giovanna Scotti, Aviation Electrician’s Mate 2nd Class Christopher Savage and Machinist’s Mate 3rd Class Elizabeth Olivas.
“These positive experiences have made me jump on the opportunity to join when I found out Kearsarge had an active team.” She continued. “So far, I have been truly enjoying my experience with our small team as Assistant Honor Guard Coordinator — training as well as passing information to individuals who have not been part of Honor Guard prior, and who truly want to represent their division, their ship. And what is another enjoyable aspect of Honor Guard is that every single event I have performed in is different each time, never monotonous.” The chance for a Sailor to participate in a group allows Sailors like Camama to show their pride in the Navy. “My emotions each time I have performed Colors with my team do not derive from performing in front of VIP’s, et cetera, but from the act of performing for the purpose of honoring and paying tribute to our country. I genuinely feel proud. Especially when we perform in events that have the dramatics of the huge crowd and playing our National Anthem.” Kearsarge Color Guard is currently looking for Sailors to join. According to Bracero, the requirements to join are: *Department Head approved special request chit. *Can have a no-shave chit, but be clean shaven for performances. *Within Navy BCA standards. *No PFA failures within past three years. *Both dress uniforms inspection ready at all times. Team practices are held Tuesdays and Fridays at 1:00 p.m., in the Hangar Bay and consist of marching drills, presenting Colors and rifle drills. “We spend numerous hours training for a slot in a ceremony that lasts a minimum of seven minutes, Bracero said. “Becoming a member of our team takes dedication. Sharp squared away marching and incorporating body movements in a uniform manner can be challenging in front of an audience. Anyone interested in joining will learn how to maintain the utmost military bearing and discipline.” Sailors interested in joining Kearsarge’s Honor Guard can contact Bracero at bracerom@lhd3.navy.mil or Camama at camamac@lhd3.navy.
Topps strips Rose of record
Fox News Pete Rose notched 4,256 hits throughout his illustrious yet tainted Major League Baseball career, good enough for the most of all time. But don’t expect to find that bit of baseball trivia on this year’s Topps baseball cards. ChicagoSideSports.com reports that Topps doesn’t acknowledge Rose’s accomplishment on the back of its card in a new section labeled “Career Chase” that shows how far off other players are from historic milestones. Rose was declared permanently ineligible from baseball in 1991 for allegedly betting on games. Clay Luraschi, a spokesman for Topps, characterized the omission as “a simple decision,” but declined to elaborate. He later said it was “plain and simple” that Rose’s name should not appear on its cards. Rose, 71, was declared ineligible from the Baseball Hall of Fame and permanently banned from the game for allegedly gambling on games while playing and managing for the Cincinnati Reds during the 1980s. His
STANDINGS NBA EASTERN CONFERENCE ATLANTIC 1 . New York 2. Brooklyn 3. Boston 4. Philadelphia 5. Toranto CENTRAL 1. Indiana 2. Chicago 3. Milwaukee 4. Detroit 5. Cleveland SOUTHWEST 1. Miami 2. Atlanta 3. Washington 4. Orlando 5. Charlotte
name, however, still exists in the game’s record books without an asterisk and the website notes that Barry Bonds is still listed by Topps as the game’s all-time home run leader despite the widely-held suspicion that he used performance-enhancing drugs.
4 Bama football players sentenced to jail
CNN Just a month after reveling in the glory of a national championship, four members of the University of Alabama football team have been arrested after a pair of campus robberies. The accused are all freshmen players for the Crimson Tide, which beat Notre Dame in a resounding 42-14 victory last month to clinch the BCS National Championship. It was the Crimson Tide’s third national title in the past four years. Three of the players – defensive lineman Dennis “D.J.” Pettway, linebacker Tyler Hayes and running back Brent Calloway – appeared in 13 games last season. The fourth, defensive back Eddie Williams,
was a redshirt who did not play, The Crimson White campus newspaper reported. According to police, Pettway, Hayes and Williams punched and kicked a student shortly after midnight Monday until he was unconscious, CNN affiliate WVTM reported. The student’s backpack with an Apple Macbook Pro was stolen, police said. About an hour later, Williams allegedly beat up another student until he, too, lost consciousness and took his wallet, WTVM said. Hayes and Pettway waited in a vehicle, police said. Later that morning, Williams and Calloway used the second victim’s debit card to buy snacks from a vending machine, police said.
WESTERN CONFERENCE SOUTHWEST 1 . San Antonio 2. Memphis 3. Houston 4. Dallas 5. New Orleans NORTHWEST 1. Oklahoma City 2. Denver 3. Utah 4. Portland 5. Minnesota PACIFIC 1. LA Clippers 2. Golden State 3. LA Lakers 4. Sacramento 5. Phoenix
W
L
32 31 28 22 21
18 22 24 29 32
32 30 26 21 16
21 22 25 33 37
36 29 15 15 12
14 22 36 37 40
42 33 29 23 19
12 18 26 29 34
39 33 30 25 19
14 21 24 28 31
39 30 25 19 17
17 22 29 35 36
W
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OTL
9 10 7 6 5
2 5 5 8 7
3 0 1 1 1
8 8 8 7 6
2 4 6 5 8
2 1 0 2 1
8 6 5 4 5
4 6 7 6 8
1 1 1 3 1
11 7 8 7 4
0 3 5 5 8
3 4 1 2 2
8 6 5 5 4
3 6 5 6 5
2 2 3 1 3
10 7 8 6 5
2 4 6 6 5
1 3 1 2 2
NHL EASTERN CONFERENCE ATLANTIC 1 . New Jersey 2. Pittsburg 3. NY Ranger 4. Philadelphia 5. NY Islanders NORTH EASTERN 1. Boston 2. Montreal 3. Toronto 4. Ottawa 5. Buffalo SOUTHWEST 1. Carolina 2. Tampa Bay 3. Winnipeg 4. Florida 5. Washington WESTERN CONFERENCE CENTRAL 1 . Chicago 2. Nashville 3. St. Louis 4. Detriot 5. Columbus NORTHWEST 1. Vancouver 2. Minnesota 3. Edmonton 4. Colorado 5. Calgary PACIFIC 1. Anaheim 2. San Jose 3. Dallas 4. Phoenix 5. Los Angeles
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